McClelland hired to write Crump business plan

City officials have approved a contract with a former Columbus resident to create a business plan for the historic Crump Theatre.

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday agreed to pay Danielle McClelland $18,000 to put together a five-year business plan for the theater.

McClelland, a former program director for the Columbus Area Arts Council, serves as the director of Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington.

Under the contract, McClelland will research best practices, potential renters and projected impact on the city in order to create a business plan identifying budgets, organizational charts, job descriptions for needed employees and management, among other things.

She is to present a draft of the plan to the redevelopment commission by Aug. 22 and submit a final version by Sept. 5.

Bob Crider, a member of the Crump steering committee, said the city is extremely fortunate to engage McClelland, as her experience is perfect for the project.

Because of the size of the project, it is essential for the city to have a realistic and honest business plan, and McClelland can provide that, Crider said.